End closure for tiles



May 16, 1933. T. BARBATO END CLOSURE FOR TILES Filed Oct. 25, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l 75! INYITOR i mmuzv May 16, 1933. T. BARBATO END CLOSURE FOR TILES 2 Sheets-Shet, 2

Filed Oct. 23, 1931 M lfENTOR ATTO RN EY Patented May 16, 1933 'ETE SATES THEODORE BARBATO, OF UNION CITY, NEW JERSEY END CLOSURE FOE TILES Application filed October 2-3, 1931. Serial No. 570,618.

The present invention relates to slab-floors constructed of hollow tiles in combination with concrete ribs, (ordinarily reinforced) formed by pouring or tamping concrete between and against the tiles, (and over the reinforcing rods when the latter are present) while the tiles stand spaced in rows upon a temporary platform. More particularly, the invention has reference to floors, of this general character, in which the open ends of the tiles are to face and be bonded to the concrete forming the ribs.

It is an object of the invention, entirely or partially, as conditions may dictate, to preclude entry of concrete into the openends of the tiles during the formation of the con crete ribs. Concrete so entering the tiles is objectionable from the standpoint that it adds undesirable dead-weight to the floor; but insofar as it may (by interlocking the ribs with the tiles and increasing the tilearea bonded to the concrete) assist in resisting compression and shearing strains on the floor, it may in certain instances be highly desirable.

Closures or stoppers for the open ends of the tiles must ordinarily have means for holding the same against displacement on the tiles during the pouring, tamping and setting of the concrete; and, as heretofore constructed, have often involved skill or waste of time in setting the same to the tiles, or have been of a complicated and costly form. Moreover, many of the closures or stoppers of the prior art have been such as to block access of the concrete to the peripheral faces, and to other surfaces, of the tiles, with which faces direct bonding of the concrete is highly desirable if the floor is to have proper strength and yet be light in weight.

An object of my invention is an end-closure in the form of a plate of cheap and simple construction, which may be set to the tile, instantly and with a single movement, by unskilled labor; and in which the device for holding the plate to the tile is an integral part of the plate, preferably stamped out of the body or material of the plate in the form of resilient ears adapted frictionally to engage or hold one of the webs or walls of the tile; and which plate when in position on the tile, and while closing the cells of the tile to an undesirable inflow of concrete, nevertheless leaves the peripheral end faces of the tile, to anydesired degree, fully exposed for bonding with the concrete of the floor ribs.

W here interlockment of the tiles with the concrete ribs is desired to assist in resisting compression and shearing strains on the floor, it is an object of my invention to have the closure plate of such form that the interlocking concrete protrusions are preferably confined to that part of the cross section of the tile which is above the plane of the floor neutral to compression and tension strains.

Heretofore where interlockment of the concrete ribs with the tiles has been sought, the concrete has ordinarily been allowed to flowinto the tiles below the neutral plane; and, above that plane has been of such form and limited amount as to add little to the strength of the floor. In such cases, the concrete for the most part has been mere deadweight, due to the fact that below the neutral plane it does not act compressively, and to the fact that it has little or no tensile strength.

In the adaptation of my inventiontoa flooring in which the tiles are interlocked with the concrete ribs by flow of concrete into the tiles, the closure plate, as to the portion thereof below the neutral plane of the floor, is preferably made and set fiat to the end of the tile; but at or above said plane, is offset or bent in the form of an inturned wing or wings which project inwardly and upwardly into and across the cells of the tile"; each such wing being adapted to pass freely into the vti-l in the positioning of the plate, while fitting the tile cell snugly enough to prevent flow of concrete around the edges of the wings. WVhere the tile is multi-cellular by reason of vertical interior webs, the winged portion of the plate, in the formation of wings corresponding in number and position to the cells formed by the interior web above the neutral plane, is notched down from the upper edge of the plate; and the vertical interior webs are thus exposed at such points for bonding with the concrete ribs.

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear upon reference to the accompanying drawings, upon which:

Fig. 1 is an end view of a multi-cellular tile with the closure of my invention set on the end thereof.

Fig. 2 is a view in cross section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1 through a portion of the tile and a portion of the concrete rib adjacent the end thereof.

Fig. 8 is a view in cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 taken through a portion of the tile and of the concrete rib adjacent the end thereof.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the tile of Fig. 1, with a modified form of the closure of my invention set on the end thereof.

Fig. 5 is a view in cross section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 throngs a portion of the tile and a portion of the concrete rib adjacent the end thereof.

Fig. 6 is a view in cross section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4 through. a portion of the tile and of the concrete rib adjacent the end thereof.

Fig. 7 is a view in cross section taken on the line 77 through the tile of Fig. 4 and through the concrete inserts shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is an end view of an 8-cell tile showing the closure of my invention applied to the end thereof.

Fig. 9 is an end view of the tile of Fig. 8, showing still another modified form of the closure of my invention applied to the end thereof.

Fig. 10 is a view in cross section taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 9 through a portion of the tile and a portion of the concrete rib adjacent the end thereof.

Fig. 11 is a View in cross section taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 9 through a portion of the tile and a portion of the concrete rib adjacent the end thereof.

Fig. 12 is a plan View of a portion of flooring showing the tiles and reinforcing rods positioned preliminary to the pouring of the concrete for the two-way concrete ribs.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1 the tile 12, having interior vertical walls 13 which divide the tile into four cells. In the construction of the floor, tiles such as these are laid, as indicated in Fig. 12, in a well known manner upon a temporary scaffolding or support. As shown in Fig. 12,

the tiles are spaced one from the other laterally and longitudinally to permit of the formation between the tiles of a two-way system of concrete ribs 14 and 15. These ribs are formed while the tiles rest upon the temporary scaffolding by pouring and tamping the concrete into the spaces between the tiles. Upon setting of the concrete, a union is effected between the concrete and the tiles to make a unitary structure of the tiles and the concrete.

in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, one form of my endclosure 16 is shown as set upon the end of the tile to seal the tile against admission of concrete thereinto during the pouring, tamping and setting of the concrete. This closure 16 is in the form of plate which may be of any suitable material, such for instance, as steel sheet, tin, mesh, moisture-proof paper, or of other materials serving the same purpose. Qut of this material are stamped, and turned, ears or prongs 17, 18, 19 and 20. As shown more particularly in Fig. 3, the ears 17 and 18 constitute a-clamp, and the ears 19 and 20 another clamp, each ear being rolled outward at its end, as at 21, so that, by reason of the resilient nature of the sheet material, the clamps may be forced over the end Vertical surfaces of the cell walls 13, until the plate 16 is in contactwith such end vertical walls; wh reupon, by reason of the spring pressure of the ears 17, 18, 19 and 20, the clamps serve to hold the plate 16 frictionally against displacement during the pouring and tamping of the concrete. The openings 22, which may be as small as three-eighths by three-quarters of an inch, formed in the stamping out of the ears, are so small that the concrete cannot enter therethrough or, if it does enter therethrough, the quantity so entering is inconsequential.

Upon reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 it be noted that the dimensions of the plate 16 and the positions of the clamping ears thereon are such that whereas the plate 16 covers the cell spaces and ends of the vertical ribs or walls 18, the plate nevertheless leaves fully exposed the peripheral horizontal and vertical walls 28 and 241- of the tile, so that the concrete may make contact and firm union with such peripheral walls. The concrete ribs are reinforced in the usual manner, below the neutral plane of stress and strain, by metal bars 25.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 5 and 6, there is shown a tile construction similar to that of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The closure plate 27 which is applied to the tile of Figs. 4, and 6, is, however, somewhat modified in structure. It has the ears 17, 18,19 and 20 formed in the same manner as in Fig. 1, and which funtion in the same manner as in the Fig. 1 form of the device, to clamp and frictionally hold the closure plate 27 to the vertical interior cell ribs 13, so asto close the cells against undesired inflow of concrete, while nevertheless exposing the peripheral walls 23 and 24: of the tiles for union with the concrete. The plate 27, however, is bent upon a horizontal line 28, see Fig. l; and above this line, and down to this line, is cut away on vertical lines 29 to form a set of wings 30; each wing 30 being turned at an angle as shown in Fig. 5 and being otsuch dimensions as to permit the same to enter one of the cells when the plate is set to the end of the tile. The dimensions of the wings 30 are such to prevent passage of the concrete into the cell spaces around the edges of the wings. As shown, however, in Fig. 5, the inclination and position ot the wings permits entry into the cells, above the neutral plane of stress and 'strain, of a limited amount of concrete. The concrete so admitted takes the form of abutments or shelves 31, (see Figs. 5 and 7) interlocking with the tiles; and each is firmly bonded to the horizontal top peripheral wall of the tile on the under end portion thereof and to the adjacent side walls of the vertical interior ribs or webs 13. In this instance, as in the case of Fig. 1 structure, there is a further bonding of the concrete to the end faces of the peripheral walls 23 and 2 1; and, in addition thereto the concrete bonds itself to the end faces of the vertical ribs or webs 13 above the line 23 from which the wings 30 turn inward. The concrete shelves or inserts 31 serve to resist the compression and shearing torces resulting from weighting of the floor.

Hereto'fore, in certain instances, the cells have been left open at their ends to permit the entry of concrete so that the latter might, by interlocking with the cells, assist in taking care of the compression and shearing forces. in such instances, for the most part however, the mass of concrete so entering has been below the neutral plane, where it only added dead weight to the floor. In my invention, by reason of the position of the concrete inserts above the neutral plane, and by reasons of the limitation as to the size of such inserts, and by reason of the shape thereof, the concrete adds but an inconsequential weight to the floor, while functioning, in its entirety, effectively to resist yielding and weakening of the floor due to compression and shearing forces.

Referring to Fig. 8, there is shown a plate 16 of the same general construction as in Fig. l. in Fig. 8, however, the tile is an 8-cell tile formed by vertical interior walls 13 and by a horizontal interior wall 32. In this structure the clamps or cars 17 to 20 are shown as engaging the walls 13 below the wall 32; although it will be obvious that the clamps could be arranged above the horizontal wall 32. The plate 16 of Fig. 8 (as in the case of Fig. 1) closes the cells to inflow of concrete, while leaving the peripheral walls 23 and 24: of the tile exposed for bonding with the concrete.

Referring to structure shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, there is shown a tile of the character shown in Fig. 3, with an end-closure plate of the general character of the closure plate shown in Figs. l, 5 and G. In the structure of Figs. 9, 10 and 11, however, clamping ears 33 are turned out in vertical, instead of horizontal planes, so that the ears, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, may clamp the horizontal interior wall or web 32, instead of clamping one or more of the vertical interior walls 13.

I claim:

1. An end-closure for a. multi-cellular tile, comprising a plate, individual for each tile of a size to cover all cells and. interior webs of the tile and close the cells against inflow of concrete, while exposing the peripheral end-wall of the tile for bonding with the concrete, and means integral with the plate for attaching the same to one or more of the interior cell-forming webs of the tile.

2. An end-closure for a multi-cellular tile, comprising a plate, individual for each ti e of a size to cover all cells and interior webs of the tile and close the cells against inflow of concrete, while exposing the peripheral end-wall of the tile for bonding with the concrete, and means integral with the plate for frictionally attaching the same to one or more of the interior cell-forming webs oi the tile.

3. An end-closure for a multi-cellular tile, comprising a plate, individual for each tile of a size to cover all cells and interior webs of the tile and close the cells against inflow of concrete, while exposing the peripheral end-wall 01 the tile on all reaches of the lat-- ter for bonding with the concrete, and means integral with the plate for attaching the same to one or more of the interior cell-forming Webs of the tile.

4. An end-closure for a multi-cellular tile, comprising a flat plate of a size to cover a plurality of the tile-cells and interior webs-1 and close the cells against inflow of concrete, while exposing the peripheral end-wall of the tile for bonding with the concrete, and means integral with the plate for attaching the same to one or more of the interior cellforming webs of the tile.

5. An end-closure for a multi-cellular tile, comprising a plate of a size to cover a plu rality of tile cells, and having incisions therein forming members out of which a s nking clamp, integral with the plate, is formed tor engagement with an interior web of the tale, to hold the plate frictionally to the end of the tile.

6. An end-closure for a floor tile, comprising a plate having a Wing, which wing when the plate is in place on the tile in the floor, is as to substantially its entirety above the plane neutral to the compression and tension strains on the floor, and which wing, upon positioning of the plate against the end of the tile, extends inwardly and upwardly in the tile cell, so that upon pouring or tamping of concrete between the tiles, the concrete may enter the tile cell, in extent and form determined by said wing, to interlock and bond with the interior walls of the tile, and means for holding the plate to the end OI" the tile during pouring or tamping of the concrete.

7. An end-closure for a floor tile, comprisi ng a plate having a wing, which wing when the plate is in. place on the tile in the floor, is as to substantially its entirety above the plane neutral to the compression and tension strains on the floor, and which wing, upon positioning of the plate against the end of the tile, extends inwardly and upwardly in the tile cell, so that upon pouring or tamping of concrete between the tiles, the concrete may enter the tile cell, in extent and form determined by said wing, to interlock and bond with the interior walls of the tile, and means independent of said wing, for holding the plate to the end of the tile during pouring or tamping of the concrete.

8. An end-closure for a floor tile, comprising a plate, flat as to its lower portion but which has an offset from said ilat portion, which when the plate is in place on the tile in the floor, is above the plane neutral to the compression and tension strains on the floor, and which offset, upon positioning of the plate against the end of the tile, extends inwardly and upwardly in the tile cell, so that upon pouring or tamping of concrete between the tile, the concrete may enter the tile cell, in extent and form determined by said offset, to interlock and bond with the interior walls of the tile, and means for holding the plate to the end or" the tile during pouring or tamping of the concrete.

9. An end-closure for a multi-cellular floor-tile, comprising a plate, flat as to its lower portion, to close the cells at said flat portion against admission of concrete thereinto, but which plat-e above said fiat portion is shaped into a plurality of wings disposed laterally of each other, each wing to protrude inwardly and upwardly in one of the tile cells, to permit inflow of concrete into such cells, above the plane neutral to compression and tension strains on the floor, to an extent and in form determined by said wings, for interlockment and bonding of the concrete with the interior walls of the cells.

10. And end-closure for a multi-cellular floor-tile, comprising a plate, flat as to its lower portion, to close the cells at said fiat portion against admission of concrete thereinto, but which plate above said flat portion is shaped into a plurality of wings disposed laterally of each other, each wing to protrude inwardly and upwardly in oneof the tile cells, to permit inflow of concrete into such cells, above the plane neutral to compression and tension strains on the floor, to an extent and in form determined by said wings, for interlockment and bonding of the concrete with the interior walls of the cells, and means for holding the plate to an interior web of the tile during the pouring or tamping of the concrete.

11, A one-piece end-closure for tiles, having an upper portion thereof, which, when the closure is set to the tile, protrudes into the tile cell from approximately that plane of the tile which is neutral to compression and tension strains, to permit and limit ingress of: concrete into the tile above such plane, and having a lower portion thereof which fits the edge of the tile to substantially seal the tile against ingress of concrete below said plane.

12. A one-piece end-closure for tiles, having an upper portion thereof, which, when the closure is set to the tile, protrudes into the tile cell from approximately that plane of the tile which is neutral to compression and tension strains, to permit and limit ingress 0t concrete into the tile above such plane, and having a lower portion thereof which fits the edge of the tile to substantially seal the tile against ingress of concrete below said plane and having means whereby to be attached and held in place on the tile.

13. A floor slab comprised of hollow tiles, spaced apart and bonded to intervening concrete ribs formed by pouring or tamping of concrete between the tiles, the interior of the tiles being free of concrete below that plane of the floor which is neutral to compression and tension strains on the floor, but having concrete protrusions thereinto above said plane for interlocking and bonding the concrete with the interior walls of the tiles.

14. A floor slab comprised of hollow tiles, spaced apart and bonded to intervening concrete ribs formed by pouring or tamping of concrete between the tiles, the interior of the tiles being tree of concrete below that plane 01" the floor which is neutral to compression and tension strains on the floor, but having concrete protrusions thereinto above said plane for interlocking and bonding the concrete with the interior walls of the tiles, said concrete protrusions being defined by endclosure pieces on the tiles which have wings oit'set into the tiles, above said plane.

15. A floor slab comprised of hollow tiles, spaced apart and bonded to intervening concrete ribs formed by pouring or tamping of concrete between the tiles, the interior of the tiles being free of concrete below that plane of the floor which is neutral to compression and tension strains on the floor, but having concrete protrusions thereinto above said plane for interlocking and bonding the concrete with the interior walls of the tiles, said concrete protrusions being defined by endclosure pieces on the tiles which have wings offset into the tiles, above said plane, and which below said plane lie fiat against the tiles there to cover and close the tile cells to inflow of concrete.

16. A floor slab comprised of hollow 1nulti-cellular tiles, spaced apart and bonded to intervening concrete ribs formed by pouring or tamping of concrete between the tiles, the interior of the tiles being free of concrete below that plane of the floor which is neutral to compression and tension strains on the floor, but having concrete protrusions thereinto above said plane for interlocking and bonding the concrete with the interiorwalls of the tiles, said concrete protrusions being defined by end-closure pieces on the tiles which have wings oft'set into the tiles, above said plane, one wing into each of the laterally disposed cells at the top of the tile.

17. A floor slab comprised of hollow multi-cellular tiles, spaced apart and bond ed to intervening concrete ribs formed by pouring or tamping of concrete between the tiles, the interior of the tiles being free of concrete below that plane of the floor which is neutral to compression and tension strains on the floor, but having concrete protrusions thereinto above said plane for interlocking and bonding the concrete with the interior walls of the tiles, said concrete protrusions being defined by end-closure pieces on the tiles which have wings ofiset into the tiles, above said plane, one wing into each of the laterally disposed cells at the top of the tile, the wings being formed by incisions in the closure pieces which at such incisions expose the ends of the interior tile webs for bonding with the concrete.

18. A fioor slab comprised of hollow tiles, spaced apart and bonded to intervening concrete ribs formed by pouring or tamping of concrete between the tiles, the concrete having protrusions into the tiles from approximately that plane of the floor which is neutral to compression and tension strains, which protrusions form substantially fiat shelves on which the tiles are supported by their upper walls and to which supports the tiles are bonded by the concrete, and means for closing the tile cells to ingress of concrete below said protrusions.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York, and State of New York, this 22nd day of October, 1931.

THEODORE BARBATO. 

